Category: Reviews

The Artiste Guide BreakOutOfTheMonth – November ’24 Playlist Review

The BreakOutOfTheMonth playlist is a monthly playlist that focuses on promoting exceptionally gifted musicians. The BOOTM playlist is one of TAG’s many means for promoting future stars. In this playlist, we’re bringing you a variety of beautiful songs released in the month of November, 2024, and herein lies a review of the songs. 1. Diego – VaB This song about a playgirl toying with our artiste, VaB’s heart, attacks with melodies that mask the message and leaves you dancing along to it. 2. Cloud 9 – Nighteen98 This song brings justice to track one as this time, it’s the artiste that’s the toxic partner in the relationship. This song has a very rhythmic soundscape that’s sure to draw you in. 3. Bolo – E’Major This time, the artiste admits to being an ex-player but he’s now found a lady he can’t bring himself to treat badly. With a repetitive chorus, this song will have you singing along even on first listen. 4. Depression – Otriexx Just as the name implies, this song is about navigating life as a depressed person and the unhealthy decisions that come as a result of it. 5. Will I – Majeed From the stables of once bitten, many times shy, this song describes a man burnt many times by the flames of love who has not lost faith in it and doubts ever being able to give himself to it. The song is a perfect piece to listen to after a fresh heartbreak. 6. Forgive me – Lordeyang & Damo K This song addresses lost love from past loved ones and aims to plead for forgiveness for whatever caused the love to no longer be there and promises that he still got them regardless. 7. Port-Harcourt – Vicoka This song describes Vicoka’s life in Port-Harcourt and the struggles and experiences that shape his life there. With a sound almost reminiscent of Omah Lay, he pays respect to legendary acts that the place had produced by mentioning the likes of Burna, Omah Lay, and co. 8. Lowkey – Wezzen For the streetwise, this song describes a person that keeps to themselves all of the time and are focused on more important things than socializing. The melodies are nice, and it has a befitting production. 9. DND – Tayo kruz Almost like a prologue to the last song, this song emphasizes blocking out noises, distractions, and disturbances in his effort of “chasing the bag.” 10. One Vibes – DJ Bayorlesky, BhadBoi OML, & Nimoni Streethop in all its glory, this song packed with indigenous talents doesn’t disappoint to paint a picture of the streets and the ruggedness with which many hustle their ways out of the trenches to become big names in the country and often times, the world. 11. Order – Shallipopi & Olamide This song is a club jam specially made for the upbeat atmosphere where everyone is expected to be on their feet and bursting their most dangerous dance moves. With this collaboration, it is a no-brainer that they delivered exceptionally on this track. 12. Awuke – Davido & YG Marley Davido killed his part on this track and delivered exceptional verses and hooks, and with the Tiktok trend going, you already know the dance moves are already on lockdown. 13. Wanting you – Jzubix This track is filled with lamba-esque storytelling about a girl the artiste is really interested in. The chorus is catchy. 14. Melody – Dela Dela’s silky voice quickly encapsulates the listener for an exquisite vocal experience, and just as the title promises, the song is packed with melodic deliveries and sensational runs. 15. Closer – Badman Dafe This song is a classic love confession and declaration of desires in the form of a song. Safe goes on and on about how much he loves, wants, and desires his love interest on this track with infectious melodies. 16. Delilah – Luddy Dave On this track, the artiste tells us about his woes with love and describes the woman of his nightmare who he gives the alias “Delilah.” It comes with a strong chorus that’ll capture your ears as much as engage your mind. 17. Pano Tona – Kizz Daniel & Adekunle Gold These powerhouses deliver a song about shining bright regardless of the people that try to dim their light. The chorus focuses more on storytelling while the hook comes ready to get you hooked. Gold’s verse is what you’d expect, golden. 18. Room 104 – SYEMCA This jam is a sultry song that almost explicitly describes the actions he’d like to carry out on his woman of interest in room 104. The innuendos paint beautiful pictures and almost makes it feel like a clean song. 19. Dark fantasy – Adao Adao is a female artiste with a unique and yet beautiful deep vocal texture. This track feels very spiritual, and this feeling peaks at the parts where there are renditions of chants. This is the type of track you listen to when you want to meditate. 20. Kese (Dance) – WizKid Kese is WizKid taking us back to his club banger era, and he doesn’t disappoint. Kese is a song that’s sure to get you in the dancing spirit and will definitely get repeated spins at fun parties. 21. Composure – Dinycee Dinycee takes us on a journey of melodies right off the bat and gives space for the instrumental to do its thing, and the whole song comes together nicely. 22. Orija – Officiallyfe This track gives off an alte vibe with its unusual flow, delivery, and lyrics. As unusual as it is, it still proves pleasant to listen to. 23. Overload – Famous Miller The beat production of this track is magnificent, the vocal delivery is great, and the lyrics are amazing. 24. Down – Lex Ash Lex has a lovely voice, and it takes extra effort to get past that, but when you do, you find his immaculate lyrical dexterity. This song will draw you

Morayo: The Album

This album, dedicated to WizKid’s mother, has been mistakenly perceived by some music enthusiasts as a mere tribute, with critics suggesting he failed to deeply connect with his grief. Morayo sees WizKid showcasing his versatility, dishing out diverse styles from his artistic repertoire. The album is a buffet of WizKid’s creative personas—RnB, Afrobeat, old-school, and new school—all seamlessly represented. It’s a one-size-fits-all project; listeners just need to pick their favorite flavor and immerse themselves in it. Track-by-Track Review 1. Troubled Mind The album intro begins with a familiar rendition from the king of Fuji, K1 De Ultimate to WizKid, taken from his mom’s burial. It transitions into one of the most poignant verses on the album. This track cloaks grief in escapism, reminiscent of Omah Lay’s emotive delivery. 2. Karamo A comical sound introduces this party anthem, designed to get listeners into a dancing mood. On this track, WizKid confidently brags about his effortless charm in attracting women, a feat others find challenging. 3. Kese (Dance) This lead single sets the tone for the album’s vibrant energy. As the title suggests, it’s tailor-made for the dancefloor. With its infectious rhythm, lively production, and perfect delivery, it achieves its purpose effortlessly. Read also: Asake’s Lungu Boy album review 4. Bad Girl ft. Asake Known for commanding his space on collaborations, WizKid dominates this track, leaving Asake surprisingly subdued. The song highlights WizKid’s mastery as the “king of melodies.” 5. Time Diving into his RnB side, WizKid crafts a love song that’s both heartfelt and worthy of getting drowned in. In Time, he passionately expresses how his love interest makes him feel “time after time.” 6. Piece of My Heart ft. Brent Faiyaz This lead single truly shines within the context of the album. Another RnB gem, it highlights WizKid’s artistry while Brent Faiyaz holds his ground, ensuring the collaboration feels almost perfectly balanced. This track is a listen to one, hear one free jam as the song drops off and cuts back in with a whole ‘nother vibe. 7. Break Me Down WizKid delivers an emotional ode to a woman he’s enamored with, complemented by a soulful female voice on the chorus. The heartfelt lyrics and warm soundscape make this track deeply endearing. Read also: How to make a successful comeback in the music industry 8. Bend Among the album’s gbedu tracks, Bend stands out. Its irresistible vibe transcends the song’s playful theme about a woman’s dance moves. Even while seated, listeners will find themselves moving to its infectious rhythm. HEIS coded but that’s a matter for another article. 9. A Million Blessings While the extended instrumental intro might test patience, WizKid’s entry makes the wait worthwhile. The song’s highlight lies in its thoughtful lyricism and intentional storytelling. 10. Après Minuit ft. Tiakola This unexpected collaboration delivers beyond expectations. Tiakola’s melodic French verses elevate the track, proving that music transcends language barriers. A truly mesmerizing piece. 11. Bad For You ft. Jazmine Sullivan A perfect anthem for lovers who embrace their toxic tendencies. Jazmine Sullivan and WizKid create a track that unapologetically celebrates flawed relationships. 12. Soji Another vibrant gbedu track, Soji carries more depth than others of its kind on the album. However, the chorus falls slightly short of the high standard set by the other dance tracks. Read also: AUDIOMACK: SUPPORTING ARTISTES LIKE YOU TO BECOME SUPERSTARS 13. Don’t CareOne of the top three conscious tracks on the album, Don’t Care stands out for its relatable message. WizKid blends Yoruba into the chorus beautifully, emphasizing his determination to live on his own terms, regardless of judgment. 14. Slow ft. Anaïs CardotWith its slow tempo and Anaïs Cardot’s soft, soulful voice, this track would have made an excellent outro. Its laid-back nature is emblematic of WizKid’s recent musical evolution. 15. Lose This track challenges critics who claim the album lacks substance. WizKid reflects on overcoming life’s struggles as a Nigerian to emerge as one of Africa’s greatest stars, delivering a deeply resonant message. 16. Pray A standout track with conscious lyricism and a heartfelt nod to his late mother. Although its tempo feels too upbeat for an outro, it’s still a fitting conclusion. Its universal appeal secures it as a top-five pick from the album. Read also: DECARLO AND AYOX COMES THROUGH WITH A NEW ANTHEM “WE ARE”, SPREADING UNITY AND LOVE. WizKid’s artistic growth is truly captivating. His recent albums delve deeply into themes of love and introspection, often characterized by soft R&B influences. This shift underscores his resistance to being labeled purely as an Afrobeat artist. Morayo is a testament to his versatility, offering a rich blend of danceable anthems and intimate, slow-burning tracks. We rate this album 7.5/10.

Fireboy DML’s adedamola: A Nostalgic Return to the Empathic Persona of Laughter

From the beginning of his career, Fireboy DML‘s discography has always showcased an artiste brave enough to explore new sounds and emotions. His third album, Playboy, veered from the usual in terms of the emotions his songs carried, expanding his brand image beyond what fans would traditionally associate with him. While it might have been a detour from his established persona, it wasn’t a misstep; rather, I dare say it showcased his versatility and willingness to evolve.   Read also: Album review: Kenteezy’s self titled EP   Now, with “adedamola“, Fireboy reintroduces us to the soft empathic boy we fell in love with on Laughter, Tears, and Goosebumps and Apollo. This latest project marks a return to form—especially emotionally—inviting listeners into a more intimate and familiar space. The album blends afropop, amapiano, house, and soul, giving a wide range of sounds for listeners to choose their favorites from.   Below is a closer look at the tracks on adedamola:   1. Iseoluwa: On the album opener, Fireboy is giving thanks to God for all he’s been able to do and achieve in his life. His gratitude is palpable and the lyricism is nearly reminiscent of God Only Knows safe for their difference in message passed across. The sound of a small fire at the very beginning, and that of the local instruments that came right after, throws one somewhere between a local church service and a big owambe occasion.   Read also: How to create an effective rollout plan for your next project   2. Call Me: Here, Fireboy quickly denounces the playboy era, as he has now found love again. This new found love has got him opening up in ways we’ve never seen. He’s now balancing romance and ambition, promising to always come back no matter how far his dreams take him. It’s like basking in the sun at a beach after a stressful year, and I’m so here for it!   3. Ecstasy: If you’re looking for a standout, this is it! The blend of Seun Kuti’s sax and Fireboy’s voice is absolute perfection. This is the kind of track that reminds us why Fireboy’s voice is in a league of its own. He doesn’t just sing; he casts a visceral dominion spell on you. On this one, he makes you crave physical intimacy as much as he loves it.   4. Hell and Back: This one hits hard! Fireboy goes all in on the heartbreak, delivering a raw and unfiltered look at lost love. Fireboy sings about his stance on going back to a toxic/terrible relationship. Here again, it feels like he’s not just singing—he’s telling his story, and it’s powerful.   5. Letting Go: More heartbreak, but this time with a hint of healing. Fireboy and Lojay make the perfect duo as they navigate the aftermath of a breakup. They aren’t about to let anyone disrupt their peace, and this track feels like a victory lap in self-love and moving forward. Definitely in my top 3 favorites from the album and trust me, it’s not the third.   Also read: Rema’s HEIS album review: A Bold Rebrand or a Missed Mark?   6. Back and Forth: Let’s talk about nostalgia—Lagbaja’s voice on this track is everything we didn’t know we needed. Paired with Fireboy, the afro-fusion vibe is pure magic, and the trumpeting takes it to another level. This song is one of the major reasons we say the fireboy of LTG is back because of the literal and literary expressions of love.   7. Ready (feat. Jon Batiste): “Ready” is Fireboy at his most vulnerable, and Jon Batiste’s touch just elevates it to a whole ‘nother level. The song is a beautiful solemn confession of love and desire, and Fireboy’s vocal delivery? Angelic! He sings with a passion that feels so genuine, you can’t help but get caught up in it. “Ready” is the type of soundtrack you’d want to hear in a romantic blockbuster movie.   8. Wande’s Bop (feat. SPINALL): A tribute to Wande Coal? Absolutely! Fireboy’s love for one of his idols shines through on this one, and the 2013-esque club vibe is pure joy. This track feels like a celebration of everything we love about Afropop’s history in NG, and it’s got elements from Wande Coal‘s “The Kick“.   Check out: Victony’s STUBBORN album review. 9. Change Your Life: 44 seconds of pure instrumental before Fireboy comes in with nostalgic flows that I can’t quite place yet, but it’s sooo beautiful, and the way that he does it? Magnificent. The agba singer sings his own praise as he convinces his love interest he is capable of changing her life for the better.   10. Obaa Sima: Despite having been released earlier, it has found a better home in the context of the album. As a lead single, it must have been aimed at reconditioning us to once again accept Fireboy‘s loverboy persona.   11. Need Me: The quest for love continues with this track, and many believe it to be a sequel to “Need You” (the LTG album opener) and the lyrics give that assertion some credibility. He reassures his lover that he’ll always be there for her whenever she needs him.   12. Yawa: Yawa is sonically similar to Need Me but holds its own as it delivers a verse centered on blocking out distracting noises and focusing on what has been working for him. He speaks on having naysayers, doubters, back biters, and flexes on them with professions of his superior lifestyle.   13. Everyday: Almost as if the pre released songs were taste tests for the main course, Everyday sits even more beautifully within the structure of the album and tells a love story that movies can be written out of. The strings and trumpet elements give this song a unique feeling of ease and softnessss.   Read also: Discover Dammylion and His Self-Titled EP, Dammylion   14. Jon’s Interlude (with Jon Baptiste): As we wind down, Fireboy

Asake, the monstrosity of a Nigerian pop—scratch that, global popstar—has once again graced our music libraries with an album titled “Lungu Boy.” After the successes of his debut and sophomore albums, Asake aims to complete his own trilogy with this release.   In an interview with Apple Music, Asake explains that “Lungu” is a term for “ghetto,” and the album explores his upbringing, musical journey, and how these experiences have molded him into the person he is evolving into.   Asake kickstarts the album with a track titled “Start,” where he samples Asa‘s vocals from her legendary hit single, “Eye Adaba.” It makes for the perfect intro, as Asake enters the track with eulogistic lyrics.   Read also: Purple doesn’t exist album review    “MMS,” featuring Wizkid, which seems to be getting all the buzz online, however, feels underwhelming. It seems like Asake is letting the beat return jabs rather than being in full charge of it as usual. The overly mellow vibe of this song stays consistent even through Wizkid‘s verse and struggles to strike any good chords. It feels like getting bitter leaf-flavored ice cream all of a sudden from your favorite ice cream vendor—a beautiful song, nonetheless, that would’ve been perfect as a standalone single.   Getting back into his groove, Asake on “Mood” is everything you’d expect from him, as the energy and beat return to what he’s known for. What makes this song even more amazing is Asake‘s delivery of an impressive verse predominantly in Spanish and how he manages to nail it squarely. “My Heart” sees Asake displaying his loverboy side.   Riding the wave of his last album’s success and Grammy nomination, this Lungu Boy’s global reach has become evident, and he declares it on track 5, titled “Worldwide.” Asake continues to impact the music industry not just in Nigeria, but globally. For “Active,” the Lungu Boy teams up with Travis Scott for a creative party anthem. Featuring a sample from Jazzman Olofin and Adewale Ayuba’s “Raise the Roof,” Travis Scott and Asake blend well on this pop-Fuji track. Travis takes a creative approach with his verse, using the sample to complete his lines.   Read also: How to create an effective rollout plan for your next release “Suru,” featuring Stormzy, is a sublime song where the collaborators sync beautifully. They preach about patience, its rewards, and the mysterious works of God. “Skating” is a song about his newfound hobby, finding joy in the little things even as an adult, and navigating life as a popstar. “Wave,” a track with Central Cee, is everything wavy and lovely as Asake describes his strict affinity for good energy, a great time, and more money, while Cee speaks to his babe about the soft life he’s now able to afford her after going through a tough path.     “Mentally” is a song about keeping his mind in the right state at all times by avoiding situations detrimental to his mental health and embracing favorable circumstances. “Uhh Yeah” is all Fuji vibes and American club music. Sarz gives Asake the perfect cross-cultural canvas for him to paint on this one. “I Swear” sees Asake confessing his newfound ease with navigating life and his steady enjoyment of it.   Asake‘s unique blend of danceable gyrations with Fuji vibes is clear on “Ligali,” as he spazzes about a good girl who likes all the bad things responsibly. Is there a genre Asake cannot do? Asake delivers on “Whine,” a dancehall track alongside LUDMILLA.   On arguably the most anticipated track on the album after “MMS,” “Fuji Vibe,” the ‘bonus track,’ has become the cornerstone of the decade with its distinct Lagos groovy sound. And of course, it is Fuji in all its glory. The alujo on the second half of the 5-minute-plus song carries an instrumental rendition of his breakout single from 2020, “Mr. Money.” Despite its duration, the people love it. A 10/10 album closer.   Safe for MMS, it’s safe to say Asake made another beautifully curated album and it’s sure going to appear on multiple album of the year conversations.

Exploring A-Q’s Purple Doesn’t Exist: A Review of Lyrical Genius

Nigerian rapper A-Q surprised fans with the release of his new album, just a day after celebrating his birthday. This 10-track project follows the success of his 2023 album, God’s Engineering 2, and showcases A-Q‘s lyrical prowess and versatility. The album spans a diverse range of sounds, from introspective songs to hard-hitting rap tracks, and features collaborations with notable artists such as Blaqbonez, Wizard Chan, Cheque, City Monster, Bkay EastGaad, and Evelle.   With Purple Doesn’t Exist, A-Q continues to solidify his position as one of Nigeria’s most gifted lyricists. The album’s varied themes and skilled execution make it a must-listen for true hip-hop enthusiasts.   “3rd John” featuring Wizard Chan is a song about being carried by the grace of a spiritual entity. Chan’s unique vocal texture induces a must-love feeling for the mellow chorus as A-Q goes hard on his verses. On “Old Head,” A-Q calls out the rest of the hip-hop industry in Nigeria for their backstabbing, face-value love, and neglect of the art they claim to love.   “John Travolta” featuring Blaqbonez sees A-Q boast to his love interests about how much he can help them achieve if they aren’t chasing immediate rewards, while Blaq extols his woman, describing what she makes him feel and what he’s willing to do for her.   One of Nigeria’s biggest melodic rappers, Cheque, is featured on “Flex on You,” a song best described by its title. Both artistes get into their rap flexing bag as they detail just how much above regular folks they are. Still in touch with that boisterous side of his, A-Q spazzes on “Down on My Knees” as he once again calls out the industry and their sneaky, shady dealings.   On “Colour Blind” featuring City Monster, A-Q describes the few pros and many cons of being involved in technological development (read AI development) very intricately. On “Colour Blind II,” A-Q embodies the persona of a citizen who supports the very government that’s doing everything in its power to make things difficult for him.   “Already Rich” features the super-talented BKay EastGaad, known for his ability to switch flows and styles. Here, he and A-Q talk about their life struggles and how making money has not always been easy, but they did it regardless and now can navigate life more easily.   “Purple Rose,” featuring soulful singer Evelle, is an emotional song where A-Q describes his mental state after the loss of his mother, following the loss of his dad and two brothers. In the song, A-Q makes direct statements to his late mom about things he would have wanted to say to her if she were still around, the situation surrounding her burial ceremony, and his hope that she has reconnected with those she lost and is proud of him.   The last song on Purple Doesn’t Exist is “All Boys Out,” a song that describes what it felt like to be a teen in his years… the societal norms, expectations, and injustices. He also describes his adult life and all the expectations and realities that come with it.   A-Q, being one of the most intricate and intelligent lyricists in the hip-hop game, did not fail to satisfy us with witty lines and superliminal messages. According to a tweet from A-Q, he hopes that his music helps us to challenge our uncompromising perception of reality.

Rema’s HEIS album review: A Bold Rebrand or a Missed Mark?

For someone who has consistently proven his sonic diversity and mastery across a wide range of sounds and genres, Rema has apparently not been able to convince his Nigerian audience that he’s not one they can lock in a box and make churn out the same sound over and over again. For a people that demand versatility and “range” from artists they consider great, Nigerians have proven their own lack of range in taste for music as they struggle to enjoy Rema‘s latest album, HEIS.   Rema is bold in his visuals and sound as he rebrands into a preacher of the Benin culture, but this is still not enough to convince the audience that this new sound is not so new. If there’s one thing about Rema, it is that he makes music as led by the spirit, and the success of every one of his “supposed” experiments is always loud enough to drown out the noise from the hating normies.   Read also: Victony’s Stubborn album review    The album, HEIS, whose title can loosely translate to uniqueness, supremacy, and an embodiment of an outstanding nature from the Greek language, is overall a high-energy project that’d understandably be enjoyed better at raves, clubs, and concerts. On the album, Rema highlights his greatness, culture, and superiority in the music industry.   On the album opener, “March Am,” Rema beautifully eats up P Priime‘s high-tempo, heavy drums and leaves absolutely no crumbs as he reasserts his domineering persona while also delivering a super catchy and repetitive chorus and hook. Immediately “Azaman” comes on, it makes you feel nostalgic as it reminds you of the era of Lil Kesh‘s “Shoki,” where Afrobeats caught your attention with the intro followed closely by the hook as he speaks on his attitude towards making money while highlighting made men he looked up to under the subject.   Read also: Zeedaa and Lala debut in grand style with Over    On one of the lead singles, “HeHeHe,” he’s quite literally laughing at his haters while sneak dissing the entire industry as he proclaims himself the newest member of the “Big 4.” Rema announces the outdated status of the “Big 3” conversation and asserts that he has more greatness coming as he is yet to tap into his full potential. “Yayo” is one of the very few new songs on the album that appears to appeal to the Nigerian audience, and if I were asked to judge why, I’d say it’s because it’s the closest to what they’re used to as it has Asake written all over it.   Read also: Album Review: Born in the wild   “Benin Boys,” the other lead single in which he featured Shallipoppi, is already going multiple times platinum in the streets, while the internet people, who only think their opinions matter in the grand scheme of things, are calling it a failed collaboration that should never have happened. “HEIS” is another track on the album that kind of appeals to the Nigerian audience as Rema calms down his high-energy delivery for it. The song also comes with a special deep African-esque sample on the hook, which adds a breath of fresh air and variety to the overall feel of the song and album. One would find it hard to believe it’s the same high-energy Nigerians that are complaining.   “Ozeba” is one track I know will suffer in the legs (hands) of African legwork dancers, so I’m pretty certain of its long reign as a top favorite from the album. Rema enlists Odumodublvck on “War Machine,” which embodies its title as it comes in the form of a war song in melody and lyricism. On “Egungun,” Rema channels his inner old-school Wizkid as he stylishly glides over the instrumental with reminiscent flows, while on “Villain,” Rema has us levitating with the background vocals playing underneath the chorus.   Read also: BreakOutOfTheMonth May ’24 playlist review    “Now I Know,” the last track on the album, appears to be the most loved song on the album among online and offline listeners. It feels like the closest to what the complainers call the “regular Rema sound,” but more than just the sound, the message in the song carries a deep meaning a lot of Nigerians can really connect with on an emotional level. An immaculate album closer.   Although many claim HEIS is an experimental project, I am familiar with Rema enough to know that this is a legit era of sound, and it’s here to stay until he taps into his abido shaker and comes at us with an even crazier sound. For those that loved the Ravage EP, this album wouldn’t feel strange at all, but I acknowledge that music, like every other art, is subjective, and not everyone will like every work from an art creator.

Victony’s STUBBORN album review.

Victony Stubborn album cover

Victony’s journey as an Artiste has been nothing short of interesting. He came into the scene as The Outlaw King and has built a tribe loyal to him, his music, and his brand. His contribution to Mayorkun’s “Holy Father” is widely credited as the song responsible for his breakout even though he had been active and buzzing before the collaboration. His sophomore album’s creative direction was inspired by the resilience he has personified from when he was a struggling child to now that he’s a superstar. From the cover art, which shows him in a war helmet anyone familiar with the Arthurian legend would be familiar with, to the visuals of the titular track. Resilience, which he referred to as stubbornness, is the main theme of the album, and this is especially evident in the track with Asake, which is titled after the album, “Stubborn,” and “Oshaprapra.” On “Oshaprapra,” he speaks about his challenges and describes them as “hellfire” while enlisting Shorae Moore, another creative genius who complemented Victony beautifully. On “History,” Victony reached deep into his lamba bag to describe his struggles while growing up. With his hand still dancing at the bottom of his lambag, Victony featured Shallipoppi, the Nigerian Shakespeare, on “Ludo” to create a sultry song rich with Afrobeat lamba-esque poetry. Read also: The year I turned 21 album review “Anita” carries a mean hook you don’t have to listen to more than once to get infected by. Victony, who is known to be a staunch preacher of b#mb#m supremacy, describes his desire to “eat Anita’s cake” (wink, wink). On “Everything,” Victony sampled Post Malone & Swae Lee’s “Sunflower.” “Everything” is another track in which Victony reached deep into his lambag as he compared his woman to everything good and nice poetically in the Nigerian way. On “Risk,” he’s more vocal about his love for b#mb#m as he speaks of his partner’s backside while singing her adorations. The different vocal textures and styles he employed on this song almost make it feel like he featured at least one other Artiste, but it’s just one genius behind the microphone. Victony featured SAINt JHN on “Tiny Apartment.” This song shows the two Artistes bending and switching beautifully between different delivery styles. On “Slow Down,” Victony displays more versatility while retaining his unique vocal texture as he delivered a beautiful pop-influenced verse to accommodate Teezo Touchdown‘s country-influenced verse. Read also: Born in the wild album review The titular track, “Stubborn,” where he features Asake, another Nigerian star, explains what it means to be really stubborn: the resilience, the doing things people have told you you wouldn’t be able to do, the being headstrong even under unfavorable situations. He describes what it has been like being a poorer, younger him and all the struggles he had to overcome. As someone that enjoys experimenting with both his music and imagery, often incorporating various alter egos like is seen in his alien personality, “Tredax.” This characteristic of Victony is evident on “Kolo,” where he delivers lambastic Afrobeats writing and flows, describing his crazier, street-oriented side. “Ba$Tard, Don’t Be Silly” is another track that draws from the same well while telling people not to mess with his bag. Victony can be described as a deep lover with the way he expressed vulnerability and longing for his woman on “Pier 46,” on which he featured KTIZO. The song offers solemn, yet catchy lyrics and melodies that many are going to have a good time serenading their love interests with. On “Sunday School,” he pours out his bleeding heart after being stabbed in the heart by a partner he had given his all to. Wrapping up the album, Victony reaffirms his spirituality by asking God to ease his affairs and guide his steps as he resiliently goes through life on the track, “Street Affair.” Victony’s STUBBORN is an Afrobeats masterpiece that’s going to birth many chart-topping tracks as people get into it more and more, just like Omah Lay’s “Boy Alone” did. It’s definitely part of our top five favorite projects of the year 2024 so far.

ALBUM REVIEW: THE YEAR I TURNED 21 – AYRA STARR

Ayra Starr: On the 22nd of January, 2021, Mavin ushered a mini² skirt wearing, angelic voiced star-r into the Nigerian music industry with her self titled EP, “Ayra Starr,” and we’ve since been in love with her. Ayra, being the Starr that she is, embodied the aura of a veteran popstar whose pen game, vocals, and delivery had been sharpened by extensive years of experience. Barely 6 months later, she blessed us with the immaculate album, “19 and dangerous” which spun incredible hits like Cast and Bloody Samaritan amongst others. Ayra went on to dope the album up by giving it an incredible deluxe version which spun the global hit, Rush. Rush went on to secure Ayra a Grammy nomination for the very first Best African Music Performance category.   The year I turned 21: At this point in time, we’re no longer strangers to how well our favorite Starr can curate a music project so the moment ‘The Year I Turned 21’ got released, we were there…front row..side court view, and we were not disappointed. The 14+1 song album which featured guest Artistes in persons of Coco Jones, Asake, Seyi Vibez, Anitta, and her brother, Milar is 40 minutes, 31 seconds of pure artistry.   1. Birds sing of money: Starting off with the cultural apala-esque panegyric rendition which transitioned into a reggaeton-pop vibe, I struggle to see how the album could have started any better. Ayra Starr’s goal with the song must have been to tell the world that she’s now a fully grown adult who’s now in charge of her own business and is going to be ruthless while attending to it. The global Starr just wants you to know she’s here to dominate…no nonsense energy.   2. ‘Goodbye (warm up)’ featuring Asake: Enlisting Mr Money on the second song on the album, Ayra sure knows how to appeal to her own people. A song about not acknowledging a bad ex’s attempt at getting back together while anticipating a better future love interest. Some may argue that the link up wasn’t fitting but I beg to differ as Mr Money is too composed to be bodied. Bringing in his unique street flows, Asake did HIS THING.   3. Commas: A fan favorite lead single. With its strong message and catchy melodies infused into the hooks, this song about getting your money up against all odds, self preservation, and bringing your potential to life doesn’t just speak to you, it makes you groove. The bopping instrumental mixed with Ayra Starr’s melodies are a beauty to behold.   4. ‘Woman commando’ featuring Anitta & Coco Jones: Ayra took making a feel good anthem for her girlies like in ‘skinny girl anthem’ a step further with ‘woman commando’. This ladies-centric song emphasizes the beauty, strength, and power every woman irrespective of class is capable of embodying. Anitta brought in her interesting latino style music while Coco Jones makes sure her powerful voice and range is heard.   5. Control: This one feels like it was made for live performances more than just regular individual listening pleasure. The beautiful MC-esque introduction and the ‘go Ayra, go Ayra, go’ chant at the outro brings so much more life to this song. Control is an easy going song with a melodious production.   6. Lagos love story: This track explores the highs and and seemingly little things that spark feelings attached to being a lover in lagos. The storyline goes to establish how much being in love can make you open to. The hook is catchy and reminiscent of the popular proclamation of typical Nigerians who have found themselves in love – “I don fall in love.”   7. Rhythm and blues: Another lead single loved by all, rhythm and blues feels like a compilation of hooks that’s impossible to not have you going back to listen for a second time. She describes her love for her love interest, likening his vibe to the beauty of Rhythm & Blues.   8. 21: Ayra describes life as a youngin with this one. The first verse encapsulates how our society looks down on young people (especially young ladies) and how she found her way around it by damning the standards and sticking to doing what works for her. By the second verse, she breaks down her personal years from 1 through 21 and the peculiarities around the age stages in the most melodious way.   9. ‘Last heartbreak song‘ featuring Giveon: A song that has been likened to beggie beggie off her debit album, 19 and dangerous. Here, Ayra sings of the sorrows of being a lover girl who’s finally done with love after experiencing unrequited love and heartbreaks. Giveon cruises in with his silky baritone voice as he attempts to play the knight in shining armour coming to save her from herself.   10. Bad vibes: This lead single comes with its alluring verses, crowd-esque chorus, and a feature from Seyi Vibez, creatively calling out the expectations placed on mainstream Artistes and how they navigate a life full of expectations.   11. Orun: This track uses highlife to mask depressive lyrics. On first listen, you feel like it should be played at every owambe event you plan to attend so everyone can dance their feet off while screaming “Olorun k’orun ke loni” but then you listen again, this time paying attention to the lyrics and you discover it’s a song about loss and navigating life without a loved one.   12. Jazzy’s song: Ayra honors her label boss, Don Jazzy, by weaving in the intro of Wande Coal’s ‘You Bad,’ a track originally crafted by the Don. More than just the nostalgic feeling this song comes with, Ayra ridiculously delivers incredible verses and a hook that’s bound to become a club jam.   13. ‘1942‘ featuring Milar: Ayra enlisted her brother’s vocal input on her personal song for the first time since they’ve been writing music together. Milar’s voice which seemed almost indistinguishable

Album Review: Born in the Wild

Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, was once a young girl from Lagos, Nigeria, with dreams too big for most caring Nigerian parents to accommodate or sponsor. She was raised to work a 9-5 job but quit her corporate job in 2018 to focus solely on music. Today, she is one of Nigeria’s biggest entertainment exports.     Tems broke into the limelight in 2019 with “Try Me,” captivating audiences with her unique sound, soulful voice, and exceptional songwriting, despite it being a departure from the typical Nigerian sound. Shortly after her debut EP in 2020, Wizkid featured her on “Essence,” a track that gained international acclaim and introduced Tems to the global stage.     Her sound appealed more to international audiences, leading her to dominate while quickly shedding her introverted shell. Her powerful voice earned her a feature on Future’s hit song “Wait For U,” which also featured Drake. Tems’ first Grammy win came for “Wait For U,” though she had been nominated before.     After being diagnosed with reflux laryngitis, Tems took a mandatory break from music and performance to fully heal. She made a comeback with “Me & U,” a song now featured on her debut album, “Born in the Wild.” Tems displayed her versatility and range by curating a medley of genres from Afro, R&B, soul, and even rap across the album’s 18 tracks.     “Born in the Wild” reflects the hunger of a girl who had to pave her own way, given that many did not understand her music in her home country. The album speaks of surviving Nigerian society, evident in tracks like “Wickedest,” “Burning,” “Ready,” and the album opener titled after the album itself. “Me & U” explores finding inner peace, while “Love Me JeJe,” the last lead single, is a soft love song that interpolates Seyi Sodimu’s 1997 hit of the same title.     “Ready” captures the powerful moment of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, embracing challenges, and committing to personal growth. It conveys the courage to face obstacles head-on, even through tears or anger, moving forward with unwavering determination.     In “Boy O Boy” and “Turn Me Up,” Tems expresses her frustration with a love interest who consistently disappoints, while asserting her capabilities. “Unfortunate” reflects on how losing certain ‘special’ people can be a blessing in disguise. Channeling Michael Jackson’s style in “Forever,” Tems sings about life after a breakup.     “Gangsta” features a beautiful interpolation of Diana King’s “L-L-Lies” and discusses the demands of stardom and public scrutiny. The amapiano spin on “Get It Right” featuring Asake describes her expectations from a relationship. Asake complements Tems’ verse with a spectacular street-ready performance.     “Free Fall,” featuring J.Cole, addresses the strain and friction caused by lovers’ obliviousness to each other’s flaws. J.Cole’s impeccable verse seamlessly complements Tems’.     In “T-Unit,” Tems showcases her rap skills, boasting about her unmatched status among peers. The album closes with “You In My Face” and “Hold On,” where Tems describes what it takes to carve one’s path through uncharted places and survive the harsh realities of being one of the few swimming against the tide. The mellow “You In My Face” transitions beautifully into the uptempo “Hold On,” providing a fitting end to the album.